Lipoaspirate processing

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and devices for processing lipoaspirate that include mechanically-processing harvested lipoaspirate in a liposuction filter canister. In some embodiments, the devices are liposuction devices that include a lipoaspirate processing unit for mechanically-processing lipoaspirate. The mechanical processing reduces the average size of adipose tissue pieces in the lipoaspirate without substantially rupturing lipocytes therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liposuction device configured for performing liposuction by drawing in vivo adipose tissue from a body as a lipoaspirate through a cannula and transferring at least some the harvested adipose tissue into a liposuction filter canister functionally associated with the liposuction device, the device comprising:
 a lipoaspirate processing unit, said lipoaspirate processing unit configured, when activated to mechanically process lipoaspirate contained inside a liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device, said mechanically processing reducing the average size of adipose tissue pieces in the lipoaspirate without substantially rupturing lipocytes therein.   
     
     
         2 . The liposuction device of  claim 1 , further comprising a liposuction vacuum module attachable to a liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device through a vacuum port thereof, said liposuction vacuum module configured, when attached to a liposuction filter canister and activated, to effect liposuction through said liposuction filter canister and through a liposuction probe functionally associated therewith, thereby allowing trapping of harvested adipose tissue in a filter liner of the attached filter canister. 
     
     
         3 . The liposuction device of  claim 2 , configured to allow activation of said lipoaspirate processing unit to mechanically process the contents of a liposuction filter canister functionally associated with the liposuction device while a liposuction filter canister is attached to said liposuction vacuum module. 
     
     
         4 . The liposuction device of  claim 2 , said liposuction vacuum module further configured to function as a fluid drainage module to remove liquids from a container of liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device. 
     
     
         5 . The liposuction device of  claim 2 , comprising a fluid drainage module different from said liposuction vacuum module, said fluid drainage module attachable to a liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device through a drainage port thereof, said fluid drainage module configured, when attached to such a liposuction filter canister and activated, to remove liquids from a container of the attached liposuction filter canister. 
     
     
         6 . The liposuction device of  claim 1 , further comprising a liposuction probe having a distal end attachable to a liposuction cannula and a proximal end attachable to a liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device through an aspirate inlet thereof, said liposuction probe configured to direct liposuction aspirate harvested via an attached liposuction cannula into a container of an attached liposuction filter canister. 
     
     
         7 . The liposuction device of  claim 1 , further comprising a washing module attachable to a liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device through an access port thereof, configured to add an amount of liquid into a container of the attached liposuction filter canister. 
     
     
         8 . The liposuction device of  claim 7 , further comprising a controller configured to automatically process lipoaspirate contained in a liposuction filter canister that is functionally associated with the liposuction device, said automatic processing comprising activation of said lipoaspirate processing unit, said fluid drainage module and said washing module in a desired order for a desired duration. 
     
     
         9 . The liposuction device of  claim 1 , wherein said lipoaspirate processing unit comprises a vortex-mixing unit, said vortex mixing unit configured, when activated, to produce and apply vortex-inducing motion to a liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device, said vortex-inducing motion effective to mechanically process said lipoaspirate. 
     
     
         10 . The liposuction device of  claim 1 , wherein said lipoaspirate processing unit comprises a vibration unit, said vibration unit configured, when activated, to produce and apply vibrations to lipoaspirate contained inside a liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device, said vibrations effective to mechanically process said lipoaspirate. 
     
     
         11 . The liposuction device of  claim 1 , wherein said lipoaspirate processing unit comprises:
 a mechanical mixing component configured to be positioned inside a volume enclosed by a filter liner of a liposuction filter canister functionally-associated with the liposuction device; and   a mixing motor configured to move lipoaspirate contained in said volume relative to said mechanical mixing component to mechanically-mix said lipoaspirate, said mechanical mixing effective to mechanically process said lipoaspirate.   
     
     
         12 . A method of processing lipoaspirate, comprising:
 a. receiving a lipoaspirate harvested from a subject in a liposuction filter canister;   b. subsequent to ‘a’, mechanically processing said lipoaspirate inside said liposuction filter canister to mix said lipoaspirate, said mechanical processing reducing the average size of adipose tissue pieces in said lipoaspirate without substantially rupturing lipocytes therein; and   c. subsequent to ‘b’, draining from said liposuction filter canister fluid released from said lipoaspirate by said mechanical processing, thereby providing processed lipoaspirate contained in said liposuction filter canister.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said mechanical processing is selected from the group consisting of: vortex-mixing; vibrations; and mechanical mixing. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein prior to and/or during said mechanical processing, a volume of aqueous solution is added to said liposuction filter canister. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 subsequent to said draining ‘c’, transferring said lipoaspirate to an autologous fat transfer (AFT) device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said lipoaspirate in said liposuction filter canister is not washed subsequent to said application of said mechanical processing ‘b’ and prior to said transferring of said lipoaspirate to said AFT device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said lipoaspirate in said liposuction filter canister is not centrifuged subsequent to said mechanical processing ‘b’ and prior to said transferring of said lipoaspirate to said AFT device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 d. subsequent to ‘c’, applying additional mechanical processing to said lipoaspirate contained in said liposuction filter canister to mix said lipoaspirate, said additional mechanically processing reducing the average size of adipose tissue pieces in said lipoaspirate without substantially rupturing lipocytes therein.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 subsequent to said additional application of said mechanical processing ‘d’, transferring said lipoaspirate to an autologous fat transfer (AFT) device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 e. subsequent to ‘d’, isolating fluid released from said lipoaspirate consequent to said additional mechanical processing as an SVF fluid.